Gathering Activities for Meetings
Gathering activities are simple, quick tasks that scouts do before a meeting starts. They keep scouts busy while waiting for everyone to arrive. These activities help set the tone for the meeting. They can be games, puzzles, crafts, or other small projects.
For Cub Scouts, gathering activities are especially important. Younger scouts can get restless while waiting. These activities help them focus and stay engaged. They also give leaders time to prepare for the meeting.
Gathering activities encourage social interaction. Scouts can talk and work together on a fun project. This helps build friendships and teamwork. It also creates a positive and welcoming environment.
Overall, gathering activities are a key part of scouting meetings. They provide a smooth start to the meeting. They help scouts settle in and get ready to participate. Simple and fun, these activities are a great way to begin any scout meeting.
Do you have a gathering activity to share? Contact me, and I’ll post it here.
Neckerchief Slides
Homemade neckerchief slides are a Scouting tradition and make excellent gathering activities. Scouts enjoy making their own unique slides, which they can proudly wear. These gathering activities are simple, fun, and allow scouts to be creative while waiting for the meeting to start.
Making neckerchief slides as gathering activities helps scouts develop crafting skills and express their individuality. It’s also a great way for them to socialize and share ideas. Leaders can prepare materials in advance, ensuring a smooth and engaging start to the meeting.
Here are some suggestions for making neckerchief slides as gathering activities:
- Beads and Pipe Cleaners: Thread colorful beads onto pipe cleaners, then twist them into different shapes.
- Bottle Caps: Decorate bottle caps with paint or stickers and attach a loop of elastic or a ring to the back.
- Clay: Use air-dry or polymer clay to shape unique designs, then let them dry or bake them.
- Paracord: Weave paracord into small designs or knots and attach a loop.
- Buttons: Glue large, decorative buttons to a small piece of felt with a loop on the back.
- Nature Items: Use small pinecones, pieces of wood, or stones, and attach a backing.
These gathering activities are a great way for scouts to start their meetings with creativity and fun. They’ll enjoy making and showing off their homemade neckerchief slides.
Wolf Neckerchief Slide
Time: 20–30 minutes
Best For: Wolf
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Crafts
Supplies: Craft foam or leather, scissors, marker, googly eyes, glue, strip for loop
Prep Level: Low
Mess Level: Low
Skills Learned: Fine motor skills, creativity, following directions, focus
Making a wolf neckerchief slide is a fun and engaging gathering activity for Cub Scouts, especially Wolves. These gathering activities allow scouts to be creative and make something personal. It’s a hands-on task that fits well with Cub Scout adventures.
Start Your Meeting with a Seed Neckerchief Slide
Time: 25–35 minutes
Best For: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Nature study, crafts
Supplies: Wood slice, dried seeds, tacky glue, PVC pipe piece, newspaper
Prep Level: Medium
Mess Level: Medium
Skills Learned: Creativity, fine motor skills, planning, nature awareness
The Seed Neckerchief Slide is a great gathering activity for your Scouts. Set up a table with slices of wood, assorted seeds, glue, and PVC pieces. As Scouts arrive, they can start designing their slides by arranging seeds in patterns or pictures.
Scouting for Food Neckerchief Slide
Time: 20–30 minutes
Best For: All Cub Scout ranks, Scouts BSA, Venturing
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Service, crafts
Supplies: Film canister, food can label, drill, scissors, glue
Prep Level: Medium
Mess Level: Low
Skills Learned: Creativity, following directions, teamwork, service awareness
The Scouting for Food neckerchief slide is a simple craft that connects service with something Scouts can wear. It reminds them why they collect food for others. Using a real food label makes the project clear and easy to understand. When Scouts wear the slide, they can explain what Scouting for Food means. This helps them take pride in their service and share the message with others.
Mini Book
Time: 30–45 minutes
Best For: Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light
Group Size: Small groups, largea groups
Advancement: Crafts, tool use
Supplies: Printed book cover image, paper or cardstock, small wood block, glue, sandpaper, varnish or Mod Podge, PVC pipe or chenille stem
Prep Level: High
Mess Level: Medium
Skills Learned: Tool use, creativity, following directions, fine motor skills
The mini book neckerchief slide is a simple craft that fits well into Cub Scouting. Scouts enjoy making something they can wear with their uniform. This project lets them turn a favorite book cover into a tiny slide. It connects to our tradition of homemade slides, which many packs encourage. A Cubmaster in Oregon first shared this idea, and it quickly became popular. Scouts like showing their handbook or a favorite story in a creative way.
Clock Neckerchief Slide
Time: 20–30 minutes
Best For: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Crafts, tool use
Supplies: Craft foam, scissors, marker, glue, brad fastener, lacing or chenille stem
Prep Level: Low
Mess Level: Low
Skills Learned: Fine motor skills, creativity, following directions, focus
The clock neckerchief slide is a simple craft that works well in Cub Scouts. It gives Scouts a hands-on project that keeps them focused. They practice cutting, gluing, and using a brad fastener. With a little help from an adult, most Cubs can complete it on their own. It fits well with a time theme such as Turn Back the Clock. You can use it as a gathering activity or connect it to a lesson about daily schedules or history.
Other Simple Crafts
Simple crafts make great gathering activities for Scouts. These activities keep scouts busy and engaged while waiting for the meeting to start. Gathering activities that involve crafts help scouts develop creativity and fine motor skills. They are also a fun way to bond with fellow scouts.
Here are some suggestions for simple crafts as gathering activities:
- Paper Airplanes: Scouts can fold and decorate paper airplanes.
- Bead Bracelets: Use elastic string and colorful beads.
- Nature Collages: Create art with leaves, twigs, and flowers.
- Pinecone Bird Feeders: Cover pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed.
- Button Art: Make pictures or patterns with old buttons.
- Clay Figures: Shape simple figures using air-dry clay.
These gathering activities are easy to set up and fun for scouts of all ages.
Craft Stick Picture Frame
Time: 20–30 minutes
Best For: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Crafts, art activities
Supplies: Craft sticks, glue, scissors, photo, small decorations
Prep Level: Low
Mess Level: Low
Skills Learned: Fine motor skills, creativity, following directions, focus
The craft stick picture frame is a simple project that works well in Cub Scouts. It uses basic materials and is easy to set up. Scouts enjoy making something they can take home and use. This craft fits well as a gathering activity or as part of an achievement or elective. It keeps Scouts busy and focused while giving them a clear goal to finish.
Paper Bag Puppets
Time: 20–30 minutes
Best For: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light, Scouts BSA, Venturing
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Communication, teamwork, creativity
Supplies: Paper bags, crayons or markers, glue, scissors, paper scraps, optional decorations
Prep Level: Low
Mess Level: Low
Skills Learned: Creativity, communication, teamwork, fine motor skills
Paper bag puppets are an easy craft that works well in Cub Scouts and other Scouting programs. The supplies are simple and low cost. Younger Scouts enjoy drawing faces and adding hair, ears, or other features. Older Scouts can use the puppets for skits or short shows. This makes the activity flexible. You can use it during a meeting, on a rainy camp day, or as part of a themed lesson.
Homemade Silly Putty Recipe
Having a science-themed meeting with your Scouts? Make a batch of homemade silly putty. It’s stretchy and fun to play with. This makes it one of the best gathering activities. Mix borax, white glue, and water. Add a few drops of food coloring if you like. Stir until it forms a putty-like consistency.
Scouts will enjoy this hands-on activity while they wait for the meeting to start. It’s simple, fun, and keeps them engaged.
Homemade Model Magic Recipe
Time: 30–45 minutes
Best for: Cub Scouts
Setting: Indoor
Homemade model magic is a simple project that lets youth create with their hands. They can shape, mold, and color the dough in many ways. As they work, they learn to try new ideas and adjust when something does not turn out as planned. This helps build problem-solving skills. The soft dough can also be calming. It gives them a break from screens and busy schedules while they focus on a quiet task.
Cub Scout Trading Cards
Time: 15–25 minutes
Best For: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Communication, teamwork
Supplies: Card stock, photos, pencils, crayons or markers, glue or tape
Prep Level: Low
Mess Level: Low
Skills Learned: Communication, creativity, self-expression, social skills
This gathering activity helps Scouts settle in as soon as they walk through the door. Each Scout makes a small trading card with a photo, basic information, and decorations. The task is simple and keeps hands busy while the room fills.
Pool Tote Craft
Time: 25–35 minutes (plus drying time)
Best For: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Crafts, responsibility
Supplies: Canvas tote bags, fabric paint, brushes, cardboard, table covers
Prep Level: Low
Mess Level: Medium
Skills Learned: Creativity, planning, responsibility, fine motor skills
The pool tote craft is a simple idea for a pack pool party or aquatics themed meeting. Give each Scout a plain canvas tote bag and some fabric paint. They can write their name on it and add designs like fish, waves, or beach balls. This gives them something useful to carry goggles, dive sticks, and other pool gear. It is a hands-on activity that fits well with a water theme.
Egg Carton Caterpillar
Time: 30–40 minutes
Best For: Tiger, Wolf, Bear
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Nature study, crafts
Supplies: Egg carton cups, string, paint, chenille stem, googly eyes, glue, scissors
Prep Level: Medium
Mess Level: Medium
Skills Learned: Creativity, fine motor skills, following directions, teamwork
The egg carton caterpillar is a simple craft that works well in Cub Scouts. It uses low cost supplies and recycled materials. Scouts can make it during a den meeting, pack event, or camp day. Younger Scouts enjoy painting and adding eyes. Older Scouts can help with cutting holes and tying knots. This gives them a chance to lead. The project keeps hands busy and helps meetings stay balanced.
Donut Snowmen Craft/Recipe
Time: 15–20 minutes
Best For: All Cub Scout ranks
Group Size: Small groups, large groups
Advancement: Cooking, teamwork
Supplies: Mini donuts, pretzel sticks, chocolate chips, decorator icing, plates, napkins
Prep Level: Low
Mess Level: Medium
Skills Learned: Following directions, creativity, fine motor skills, teamwork
Some gathering activities can be both a craft and a snack. Make donut snowmen using powdered sugar donuts, pretzels, and a few other simple ingredients. Stack three donuts for the snowman body. Use pretzels for arms, chocolate chips for eyes and buttons.
Thankfulness Zone
The Thankfulness Zone is a short gathering activity for Cub Scout meetings. Scouts take a card, write or draw something they are thankful for, and place it on a wall. This helps them start the meeting with calm minds and positive thoughts.
The wall grows as more Scouts add cards. It becomes a simple display of gratitude. Leaders and families can see what brings joy to the children. This makes the meeting space feel warm and friendly.
Printables
Printables are a fun way to get started while waiting for everyone to arrive. They make excellent gathering activities, keeping scouts busy and engaged. These gathering activities are easy to set up and require minimal materials. Just print them out and hand them to the scouts.
Here are some suggestions for simple printables as gathering activities:
- Puzzles: Crosswords, mazes, and Sudoku.
- Word Games: Word searches and Scrambles.
- Coloring Sheets: Scouting-themed pictures or seasonal images.
- Dot-to-Dot: Connect the dots for younger scouts.
- Hidden Pictures: Find the hidden objects in a pictures
A few more are listed below. See lots more puzzles and printables here.
These gathering activities are perfect for starting a meeting on a positive note.
Scouts BSA Basics Crossword
The Scouts BSA crossword puzzle is a simple way to help Scouts learn and review key parts of the program. It focuses on the Scout Oath, Scout Law, motto, and slogan. Scouts read the clues and fill in the answers. This helps them remember important words and phrases. Leaders can use it during meetings or suggest it for learning at home. It works well as a quiet activity that still supports advancement.
This puzzle also encourages discussion. After Scouts finish, you can talk about what each answer means. Ask how they can live out those words in daily life. Scouts can work alone or in small teams. Solving it together builds teamwork and communication. It is an easy tool that supports learning while keeping Scouts engaged.
State Capitals Bingo Cards
Time: 10–20 minutes
Best For: Wolves, Bears, Webelos, Arrow of Light Scouts, Scouts BSA
Advancement: Citizenship-related requirements
Energy Level: Low
Setting: Indoor, outdoor
Use For: Geography, memory, listening skills
Scout Spirit: citizenship
The State Capitals Bingo game is an easy way to help Scouts learn geography. It turns memorizing states and capitals into an active group activity. Scouts listen for the name that is called and look for a match on their card. This keeps them alert and involved. It works well during den meetings, troop gatherings, or even at camp. You can adjust the level by mixing state and capital cards.
Halloween Bingo Cards
Time: 10–20 minutes
Best For: Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos, Arrow of Light Scouts
Advancement: Gathering activities, themed meeting activities
Energy Level: Low
Setting: Indoor
Use For: Listening, attention, group participation
Scout Spirit: courteous
These Halloween Picture Bingo Cards are perfect for den or pack meetings around Halloween. Each set includes 30 unique cards adorned with spooky-themed pictures like black cats and haunted houses. They also come with call cards to facilitate the game. What sets these cards apart is the inclusion of numbers with each image. This makes the game easier to play and helps the caller and players communicate smoothly.
Simple Games and Contests
Simple games and contests are great gathering activities for Scouts. They can be done in just a few minutes and are perfect for keeping scouts engaged while waiting for everyone to arrive. These gathering activities are fun and help build team spirit.
Here are some suggestions for simple games and contests as gathering activities:
- Caption Contests: Provide funny pictures and have scouts write captions.
- Guessing Games: Guess the number of candies in a jar or the weight of an object.
- Simple Games: Duck Duck Goose, Simon Says, and Red Light Green Light.
- Memory Games: Show a tray of items, cover it, and have scouts list what they remember.
- Paper Airplane Contest: See whose airplane flies the farthest.
These gathering activities are quick, fun, and perfect for starting a meeting with energy and excitement.
Caption Contest
In this activity, leaders display several unusual or funny photos around the room. Scouts look at each photo and write a short, silly caption. They place their captions in a container next to the photo. After gathering time, leaders choose a few of the best captions and read them to the group.
The caption contest is easy to set up and low cost. It encourages creativity, writing, and respect. It is a simple way to add fun to a meeting or banquet.
Faith and Our Ancestors Game
The Faith and Our Ancestors activity is a simple way to help Scouts learn about family history and beliefs. It uses a printable grid with questions about ancestors, traditions, and faith. Scouts move around and ask others the questions. They listen and write short answers. This supports respect for different backgrounds and ideas. It works well in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing.
This activity also builds communication skills. Scouts practice asking clear questions and listening without interrupting. They learn that families have different stories and traditions. Leaders can use it during meetings, retreats, or theme nights. It needs very little setup and can be adjusted for age level. It is a quiet activity that supports reflection, sharing, and understanding.
When I Was Young
This When I Was Young gathering activity works well for history themes, photography themes, or a Blue and Gold banquet. Collect childhood photos of your adult leaders, preferably from early grade school. Display the photos with numbers next to them. Give everyone an answer sheet with matching numbers and space to guess who is in each picture. Younger Cub Scouts can work with a parent to make their guesses.
Later in the meeting, reveal the answers. A slideshow works best so everyone can see clearly. Show the childhood photo first, then show a current photo of the same person, even better if they copy the old pose. Scouts enjoy seeing their leaders this way. You can collect answer sheets and recognize top scores, or simply let everyone check their own for fun. It is an easy way to add humor and connection to your event.
The Secret to Starting Strong
Gathering activities are key to a successful scout meeting. They keep scouts busy and engaged while waiting for everyone to arrive. These activities set a positive tone and help scouts transition into the meeting. They can be games, crafts, puzzles, or even simple contests.
Crafts are a popular choice for gathering activities. Scouts can make things like neckerchief slides, paper bag puppets, or pool totes. These projects are simple and fun, allowing scouts to be creative. Plus, they provide a tangible result that scouts can be proud of.
Games and contests are also great for gathering activities. They are quick and energizing. Simple games like Duck Duck Goose or guessing games are perfect. Contests like caption competitions or paper airplane contests add a fun challenge. These activities promote teamwork and friendly competition.
Printables are another easy option for gathering activities. Puzzles, word searches, and coloring sheets are low-prep and keep scouts entertained. They are a good way to start the meeting calmly while still engaging the scouts.
Overall, gathering activities are essential for setting the stage for a successful meeting. They help scouts settle in, socialize, and get ready for the activities ahead. By starting with something fun and engaging, the rest of the meeting is more likely to go smoothly.
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